The European Commission launches a debate on the need for a common policy for the return of undocumented residents. Acting on a proposal from the Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner, António Vitorino, the European Commission has therefore approved a Green Paper on a Community return policy on illegal residents. The European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, the candidate countries, third-country partners, international governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, the academic world and other interested organisations and individuals from civil society are invited to take part in this discussion. The Commission would like to receive all contributions in writing by 31 July 2002 so that it can make the best possible preparations for a hearing on Community return policy by the summer of 2002.